Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-07-30

for their dangerous mission.
The next morning, armed 10 the teeth
they set out IN search of the secret cave of
the Iobber band. Besides their arms they
had taken with them long lariats in case
they should need them. Their plan was to
keep their eyes open IN hopes Of seem g
some member Of @Outlaw Bills" command,
and then unknown to the villain, track
him to his lair.
This was the only way in which they
could ever expect to accomplish their
mission. It was not altogether q
Wild-gOOss chase as 1t may appear
TO the reader for rumor had al
ready h1ed the locality Of the bandits re-
treat, though as yet it had escaped all pry-
ing eyes. They knew that they we're some
where in its vicinity, from certain signs
which were not overlooked, such as carved
sticks lying by the wayside, trees on which
the ak had left its impression, care essness
on the part of the outlaws, but all of which
proved guides 70 these indefatigable
searches.
Yet days passed by without anything be-
ing seen or heard TO give them farther
clues, and they were almost desPairing of
success, when fortune favored them.
1t being nearly 2 o'clock in the after
noon they had sat down to partake of u
slight repast from the ample supply they
carried, their cOHcealment being q close
thicket, impenstrabie 10 the eye. They
had tramped since morning the rocky de-
files. elambered over powders, and picked
their way through the tangled thickets and
were nearly tired out with their careless
wanderings.
awel," exclaimed aDandy Joe" mo
success"
"Giant Jake" made no reply, but set
about his repast with a relish.
They reclined on the very edge of a deep
canyon, the bottom Of which could scarcely
be reached by the eye. The opposite wall
rose still higher than the one on which
they lay, towering above them for con-
siderable distance. Its face was perfectly
smooth, excepting here and there, where a
small ledge contained enough soil to nOur-
ish few rugged brambles and mountain
shrubbery.
AS the eyes Of aGiant Jake" scanned the
smooth, rocky walls he suddenly sprank to
his feet, and grasping his companion by
the arm, exclaimed, Look thar" pointing
toward the opposite side Of the canyon.
Dandy Joe" gazed in the direction indi-
sated and saw a sight which caused his
heart to throb with exultahon. Out from
a assure IN the smooth wall OF the canyon
unfOlded a silllsn ladder, which was slowly
lowered down the face of the rock, till il
reached ledge which, extending outward,
all but joined a similar rocky formation on
the opposite side, making a natural bridge
which could be crossed with but little dan
ger
When the full length Of the ladder had
been reached q man was seen to step from
the assure and carefully descend Reach
ing the ledge Of rock, he crossed the natu-
raj bridge, and, gaining the other side.
passed by the thicket where DANDY Joe"
and "Giant Jake, concealed, lay watching
his movements.
NNha. ha - haa-=r-re uTAr--,F
Jake" exclaimed, ave heY diskiYered thar
retreat. but hyar We gwine to git thar"
@If We could reach tie top Of yender
clih, yOu might then lower me down its
face and could gain an entrance in that
way replied Dandy joe"
"Giant Jake" demonstrated with him re-
garding the fOOlhardiness Of the undertaz-
ing, but to no purpose; for, that being the
only way, he replied that there should be
no thought Of the danger.
Making a wide detour, they succeeded in
reaching the other side OF the canyon, yet
over the huge powders which obstructed
their path, they finally gained the top of
the rocky wall, just as the twilight was be-
ginning to deepen into night.
They had taken their position directly
above the assure that they might make no
mistake IN the darkness. Waiting till after
midnight, which hour they regarded as the
safest time for the dangerous undertaking,
they arranged everything for the proposed
descent. Dangerous indeed it was, for,
though they had made safe the point OF
contact with the rocks above. yet the lariat,
swinging taut with the heavy weight,
against the face of the cliff, might at any
moment be severed by sharp edged pro-
iections from the rock wall.
Securely fastening one end of the lariat
IN the top of the cliff, lest, powerful fell
low though he was, no should be unable to
retain his hold, "Giant Jake" neosed the
other end about his companion and lowered
him slowly toward the entrance Of the
~Obber cave.
AS he descended "Dandy Joe" extended
lis hands toward the smooth wall of the
canyon, and anxiously felt for the OPENING
in the rock. He soon reached it, as he
supposed and signaling to "Giant Jake"
he entered. Untylng the lariat and max
ing 1t secure about a projection which
jutted out from the wall Of the passage,
he crept stealthily forward. A light cleaned
just ahead, and in a few moments he reached
large apartment where, reclining on a
couch Of furs, lay Pleena Otsone. With a
cry of delight she sprang toward him.
Explanations followed, and he learned that
the passage leading to the robber cave lay
just below tie one lie had entered, and,
also that entrance to the main cavern could
be effected through her apartment
She also informed him that "Outlaw
Bill" was holding her for randsOm, and,
as she seemed in no particular danger at
present from him or his followers, it was
thought prudent TO allow her to remain till
he returned from the sediment with a suf-
hci5nt force to OverpOWer the rufians, for,
did he remove her, they would know their
secret abode had been discovered, and
would be prepared TO resist them.
So bidding her farewell for the present.
he returned TO the entrance, and hand over
hand assembled the face of the cliff. It
proved a tedious eZertion, and it was only
with the help Of SGiant Jake" that he
finally clambered Ger the edge Of the
wall
Hurriedly they set out for the settlement,
and returning the following day with an
armed force reached their destination late
IN the evening, to guard against discovery.
As before they waited till a late hour OF
the night, when one by one the miners
were lowered into the outlaw den. Not
sound came from the interior of the cavern,
where the desperadoes lay, secure, as they
supposed, In their rocky retreat. How
soon they were TO be undeceivedl
Rushing IN the miners began a rattiEs.
fusilades which was returned by a few
OF these desperate men who es-
capped the first volley. They, however,
were soon OverpOwered, only to be sUs-
pended from the roof Of the cavern, or
more correctly, from a frameW ork erected
10 hold the arms of the desperate COM
mand.
aBut where is Outlaw Bil?B He is moi
among the slain?" AS the question was
asked, "Giant Jake" and Dandy Joe" en-
tered, bearing between them, bound hand
and foot, the outlaw chief.
These two brave men, knowing the vim
dictive nature of OUTLAW Bill" had
rushed to the protection of Pleena OtsOne,
arriving Just as with knife appraised the
bandit was rushing with murder in his